Australia’s economy has proven to be resilient through the global financial crisis and with our proximity to Asia the future is rosy with continued growth expected. Australia has a low unemployment rate and skills shortages in many professional and trade occupations bring skilled workers to Australia each year on long-term work visas. Statistics show that the majority of these workers, once settled, decide to stay on in Australia through the permanent employer sponsored visa options.

International student numbers peaked in 2008-09 with around 631,000 students from overseas enrolled in tertiary educational institutions across the country. At the time over one in five tertiary students studying in Australia were international students. There are currently more than 350,000 international students in Australia and the international education sector continues to provide significant contributions to society and the economy, demonstrating that Australia is still a great place to study and experience life in Australia.

Australians love to travel and inevitably many have fallen in love with a foreigner while travelling overseas and have decided to make Australia home. Partner visa options are available for those who are married to Australian citizens or permanent residents and those who are in a de facto relationship.

Almost one in two Australians were either born overseas or have a parent who was born overseas. Australia’s visa program allows for family reunification through the family stream with visas available for parents, remaining relatives, carers, and dependent relatives. These visas are very popular and the number of entrants is capped each year through the management of the migration program.

With so many Australians born overseas Australia is an extremely multicultural society. This means that is not difficult for new migrants to fit in and feel at home. Community groups are strong and lively festivals take place around the country throughout the year. Harmony Day is celebrated around Australia on 21 March and coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It is a day Australians celebrate our cultural diversity and come together in mutual respect of each other’s culture.

Australia has a low crime rate compared with many parts of the world and the community minded nature of the people makes Australia a safe place to live and raise a family. Australia provides a home for many refugees each year who are fleeing war or persecution in their homeland.

Australia has a temperate climate with mild winters and warm to hot summers. The north of Australia is tropical and the south is cool in winter and hot and dry in summer. Victoria and New South Wales enjoy a regular snow season in the high country during winter, but it is the many hours of sunshine and long balmy evenings that attract migrants to Australia, especially those in the UK and northern Europe seeking to escape the long dreary winters.

Australians love their laid-back lifestyle. They don’t like to take themselves too seriously and relaxation and time with family and friends is very important. Aussies are a friendly bunch and love to stop for a chat with strangers or to lend a helping hand to those in need. Work-life balance is an art-form many Australians have perfected. Family picnics and gatherings, parties, and a day at the beach are all essential parts to the Australian way of life. Australians are blessed with fresh produce and there are many wonderful restaurants, wineries and markets to enjoy.

Sport in Australia is something of a national obsession and participation rates are high when compared globally. Cricket is the national pastime, while Australian Rules Football (AFL) in the south and Rugby League and Rugby Union in the north are simply known as ‘footy’ to most, while soccer is becoming ever more popular and enjoys a high profile and level of participation. Every town or suburb maintain tennis and netball courts, bowling greens, and athletics clubs, while fabulous golf courses abound. There’s never a shortage of events on the sporting calendar with the football codes dominating the winter months, followed by the Spring Racing Carnival, the summer of cricket, the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, the Australian Open tennis grand slam, and the Formula One Grand Prix some of the highlights.